Saturday, June 29, 2013

Changing Faces

Botox. Dermabrasion. Fillers. Plastic surgery. Skin brighteners. Peels.
I saw a friend of mine after maybe ten years. She looked absolutely fantastic! I know she is older than I am, so I commented to another lady how great Kathy* looked. She laughed and said that Kathy had actually needed a certain surgery, and she decided, while they were at it, to get a little bit of help on the rest of her face. I assure you the results were so natural that I had no idea.

There’s a newscaster on a certain international station. I call her “the Botox queen.” She has erased every line that she ever had. When she raises her eyebrows, there are no creases. She smiles, and nothing happens. It is amazing! She’s not only erased her lines; she’s done away with her expressions!

We see before and after photos—I’m still not convinced of their authenticity. They’re people who have either had procedures done or have used skin brighteners. Of course, each one looks many years younger . . . fantastic . . . youthful.

Celebrities often have work done. I recently viewed a Fox News report about celebrity women. Some completely redid their lips. Some almost look grotesque. (Have you ever seen a fish?)

I can think of two male politicians—make that three—who have had major facelifts. One ended up with a crooked nose. (It’s a little bit sad. What’s wrong with a few wrinkles? I think wrinkles would be better than a crooked nose!)

Now, I’m kinda laughing. But, don’t get me wrong.

Every thinking woman my age looks in the mirror and decides where they might change something—if they dared. If they could have a guarantee for perfectly “natural” results and had the money to do it . . . . I’m certainly not judging motivations.

But, that’s not what this blog post is about.

It is about facial changes, but not the ones that come through scrubs, injections, knives, and stitches.It’s about the change in a face that comes from the heart. Imagine being so close to the Lord that your face literally shines! I am fascinated by two biblical men with glowing faces:

Old Testament, Moses—When he came down off of the mountain, his face shone so brightly that people were afraid to get near him. (Exodus 34:30)The Bible says, And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone (Exodus 34:35a). Moses actually put a veil over his face, so that he could speak to the people. (34:33, 35) Moses’ shining face is also referenced in 2 Corinthians 3:7, 13.

New Testament, Stephen—This preacher of the gospel is also known as the first Christian martyr. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel (Acts 6:15).

Do you want a shining face?

Pray. Leave your burdens with the Lord.

Hannah wanted a child badly. She prayed so fervently that the high priest Eli thought she must be drunk. After Hannah and Eli talked, Hannah was at peace. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad (1 Samuel 1:18).

Have a right heart before God.

David was a handsome young man, but his heart was even more beautiful than his face. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

Enjoy your blessings.

When Job spoke of his life before all of his trials, he said of his friends, If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down (Job 29:24). Psalm 104 begins, Bless the LORD, O my soul. Then, it launches into a listing of God’s blessings, including: And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart (104:15).

Praise.

The psalmist said, hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God (Psalm 43:5).

Don’t sorrow unnecessarily.

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken (Proverbs 15:13).

Have friends that will encourage you spiritually.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17).

Get wisdom.

Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed (Ecclesiastes 8:1).

Have you ever known a Christian who was glowing? Someone who shows on his face that he loves God? Someone who rarely frowns because he walks in the joy of the Lord? Someone who has problems like everyone else, but seems to give them all to God and live victoriously? People who walk with God have beautiful faces!

They don’t have perfect Botox faces. Their lips and noses haven’t necessarily been rearranged. Their crow’s feet are still showing. But they glow!

There’s something to be said for this kind of beauty.It’s the everlasting kind.

Hi and welcome to In the Way! I explore many subjects, striving always to present them from a biblical viewpoint. Feel free to browse the tabs at the top for general categories. If you don't see what you're looking for, use the search button below. I'm a pastor's wife, mother of two, grandma, teacher, author, and blogger. I live in a quaint little village in the beautiful Basque region of northern Spain.

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Lou Ann is a young-thinking grandma with an infectious laugh. She rejoices in nature and other beautiful things--including people! She's an avid writer and practices several other artistic expressions, like singing when no one's listening, calligraphy, photography, and even "serious art." Lou Ann loves her Lord Jesus Christ, family, and her church.